The importance of metagenomics research in human ecological niches and their role in the diagnosis of noninfectious diseases

Abstract

Human body is a complex system that is affected by a significant number of microscopic organisms called the microbiomes. The dynamic development of science has led to innovative discoveries in the field of microbiology. This in turn has extracted new field, metagenomics, thanks to which it became possible to perform detailed analysis of individual groups of bacteria and to determine their effects on preserving a good health. One of the biggest scientific projects that would investigate the influence of microbiomes on humans is HMP (Human Microbiome Project). As part of it the research is being conducted leading to characterize human microbiome at the level of nucleotide sequence of the entire genomic DNA. The microflora of the skin, oral cavity, respiratory tract, digestive tract (intestines), genitourinary system has an essential role in the homeostasis. In the last year the carried research proved that it is a vital part of the human organism in preserving a good health. Any changes in its composition may lead to systemic diseases. Pathological changes affect the outcome of the interaction within the microflora that includes species of commensal and pathogenic bacteria, as well as immunology and genetics of the host. Metagenomics research will contribute not only to the recognition of new, so far unidentified by the bacteriological methods microorganisms, but most of all they will serve as a basis to understand the relationships between the human organism and in-dwelling microorganisms. Thanks to the development of the metagenomics or the NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) it will be possible to discover new metabolic pathways and bidirectional links of bacteria with human metabolism. This will help in finding new therapeutic methods in the treatment of many noninfectious diseases so far considered as civilization diseases or genetically conditioned.